1 Litre of Tears Jdrama Review: If this doesn’t make you cry, you are a Soulless Monster

Synopsis: Based on a true story, Ikeuchi Aya (played by Sawajiri Erika) is a 15 year old girl who gets diagnosed with Spinocerebellar Degeneration, an incurable disease which progressively robs her of her ability to walk, speak, and move her body but does not effect her mental capacity.

1 Litre of Tears is an understatement.

I honestly can’t even deal with this drama. I finished watching it a few days ago but it is still so raw. It’s one the most amazing and heart-breaking, heart-shattering, life-altering dramas I’ve ever seen (if not the most). I’m destroyed. I feel utterly broken. I thought I started to pick myself back up, but trying to write a review on this drama has reopened the floodgates and I don’t know how to make it stop. I can’t even really think of it objectively. I wish I could fully articulate the positives and tidbits of wisdom in this drama, but I’m still grieving over it.

You’ll never be ready to watch this, so just watch it.

This drama was recommended to me by a very cool, real-life friend of mine. She’s a rom-com kind of gal who doesn’t like tearjerkers normally, but she told me this is a drama I must watch. I told her I would watch it eventually, but I kept putting it off knowing it would be very sad and difficult to digest. I really do find sad dramas often therapeutic which is why I like them, but I didn’t want to watch this until I felt prepared to do so. Well, guess what? You’ll never be prepared. I thought I was ready, and I was no where near ready for what unfolded. You can’t prepare yourself to watch something like this. Being completely aware that this drama would be super emotional, I still cried watching almost every single episode. Listening to the OST now will haunt me, looking at the screen caps will haunt me.. It cannot be helped.

I love to cry, but it hurts so much.

1 Litre of Tears is a special kind of drama. Aya represents the glory and potential of youth. She is bright, beautiful, kind, empowering, gentle, loving, hopeful and strong. That’s what makes this drama so heartbreaking. Aya, you would expect, would have her whole life ahead of her. She has endless potential, and with her bright beautiful personality, you wouldn’t think something terrible like this would happen to her.

Why. why…. why?

I don’t like to challenge the Universe and ask the question,“why”. With this drama I couldn’t help but ask that question that we are not supposed to ask (because there is no answer). Why? Why?? Why her? Why an innocent, young, teenage girl who has wronged no one? Why? Well… unfortunately, horrible things happen and we have zero control over it. It doesn’t matter if you are a good person, disease doesn’t discriminate, but knowing this doesn’t make it any easier.

Another element I really liked about this drama was seeing how the disease doesn’t only affect Aya, but the people around her. Also, everyone reacts to it a bit differently. Knowing this is based from a true story really elevated the emotional effect of the drama. I’m still torn over it. The drama is so lovely, but the sadness is really overwhelming.

Mom, will I Marry Someday?

The friendship between Haruto (played by Nishikido Ryo) and Aya was so profound. Watching him deal with her illness was very emotional for me. I really liked seeing how she touched his heart for the better. In a way, she brought a lot of inner healing to him, but Argh…. here I go again… why?Their feelings are so strong, but no elephant compares to this elephant in the room.

Knowing this is based on a true story, I feel I really need to give it a perfect rating. I thought they did a wonderful job between balancing information based on a true story and adding some elements of fiction for story telling purposes. I want to say that I will watch this again, but at the same time I think it would be very difficult to revisit (although I would like to eventually). Just writing this was extremely challenging. Also, all around the acting was marvellous. The actors dived deeply into their characters which allowed us viewers to really connect with them and cry freely.

Oh… and although I need to process this drama more, I think it’s fair to say it’s one of my favourite all-time dramas. Aya’s story has touched me and she has forever left a scar and a smile in my heart.

17 comments

I’ve heard so much about this drama, but as amazing and inspiring as it is, I don’t think I will ever be able to handle it. It’s just too sad. It’s disappointing because I hate to miss out on such a great drama, but I know my limits. I’m always thrilled to hear other people have such a moving experience with it though. I’m glad you enjoyed it so much 🙂

I get e-mails when you post and I read them….I really do. I appreciate your reports on all that is Asian and specifically Korean. Reading this made me want to watch it. I have been down in the dumps, It’s been raining for days and this just seemed the perfect thing. I subscribe with Drama Fever and it’s been a LONG TIME since I started a new drama. I have been stuck in the American world of the Walking Dead and Parenthood (nothing about those series are similar, except their are family figures in both) on NETFLIX. SO…….I couldn’t find it. Maybe they are not showing it. Is it NEW? Does it go by another title? I’m a little off my game, it’s been too long. Thank you.

Hi Chris. It’s nice to hear from you. It’s an older drama and it is tricky to find. It’s not on Dramafever or Viki. I can tell you where to watch it online but I would prefer to send you the link a different way rather than in the comments. How would you like me to provide you with a link?

thank you. I have been off my BLOG for too long and dramas as well. Today felt good I started My Venus. I am in love with So Ji Sub. Yesterday I watched his movie A Company Man. WOW…did it just get hot in here?? anyway….you’re great. Love reading your posts. I have a full time job that keeps hubby and I living in our house…but recently got busy with my own personal Coffee Company. we are pretty famous (depending on where you live) for our Weight loss Coffee. Healthy herb infused coffees, teas, cocoa and water blends that have changed my life. My goal is to end my full time job working for another boss and just be my own boss. It’s coming. You can use this same email address if you are interested in hearing more. I love to share and we LOVE to do webinars. 🙂 thanks again drama dreamer!!!

I am a soulless monster, this drama is the worst ever and i would never shed a tear over it! *lies* See? Your tears helped you write the review! I knew they would pave the way for your fingers on the keyboard! 😀 I think that Sawajiri Erika as Aya was a once in a lifetime role for her, she will never surpass her interpretation here but there’s no actress that would ever take her place in 1 Litre of Tears as well, at least to my eyes. If i recall correctly, i had read that it was the real Aya’s mother’s request for the drama Aya to have some sort of a boyfriend since her daughter didn’t have the chance to experience such a loving and caring attitude.
“how the disease doesn’t only affect Aya, but the people around her” It was one of the drama’s greatest characteristics, it didn’t only manage to present Aya’s soulful grandeur and struggles, it didn’t only present the disease’s progress, it also showed how people around her were affected and how they tried to be by her side while still breaking apart. LES FEELS!
Ryo was wonderful as well, such roles embedding great amounts of pain suit him really well!
This drama dehydrates you and then fills you with hope, only Japanese dramas can do that! I will definitely rewatch, hopefully soon! I am so glad you loved it and it became one of your favorite dramas, it will always be my number 1, the first drama i ever watched and the one still standing proudly at my own drama Everest! Thanks for the review!!

Wow.. I really appreciate how you elaborated on some of the key points. For example, You explained this perfectly: “how they tried to be by her side while still breaking apart”. What you just described was really written over everyone’s pained faces.

I didn’t mention her parents in the review, but my heart was so crushed for them. As a parent it really sent shivers down my spine. I could understand the different emotions such as the denial and the fear. Although I questioned how they handled it a little bit towards the beginning, you really can’t fault them. That’s their baby girl. Their flesh and blood. Her parents were so loving, so patient and they were crushed… but they stayed strong for her throughout and wouldn’t become defeated.

I agree as well that no one else could play or replicate this character with the same amount of impact. It was a life and a lifetime type of performance, and although Sawajiri Erika won’t ever be able to replicate it, it’s not a performance that can ever be forgotten.

I heard the same thing about the romance; that her mother wanted a bit of romance since she never had the opportunity to experience it. It’s just so bloody sad Kwon *Z faints.

I think this drama is in my top 3.. possibly my favorite but it’s so difficult for me to place it at the moment because I have yet to recover. It’s certainly without a doubt the best jdrama I’ve seen.

Soulless Monster Kwon is ready to attack the earth from the outer space!
Yups, there was so much pain on their faces, but they were trying to hold it back while in front of her in order to strengthen her even though the end was inevitable. Especially her brother and the way he got to embrace his sister and her disease while being embarrassed in the beginning.
Aye, a parent can receive higher vibes from 1 Liter of Tears! Yush, the beginning took them by unwelcome surprise, but eventually the whole family became one core of loving energy!
*unfaints Z with magical powers he learned at Mourim School* XD
Top 3 is strong enough, something tells me that your feels will lead to the first place in time 😀
C’est vrai! LES FEELS!!!!